The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-11-16
CITIZENS MEETING.
an Earnest and Enthusiastic Move
ment for Improved Public
Schools. ctr

AT mass-meeting of the citizens =,
jackson, held in the City Hall ON the ave-
nlng OF November IA, 1887, Mayor John
Mcdill was called to the chair. and TT
ohiles was chosen Secretary.
Mayor McGiH explained the nrinc;n.
oolect oil the meeting to be, the further i'm
proVement OF the public schools of Jaek-
son, by providing larger and moro anti.
PIE building and appliances. ali of wbich
ne heartily endorsed. SH
| Inc Hon. h. A. Hill being presen, was
gained upon, and made telling speecb in
.aol oI the movement, expressing his
sympathy with the same. He gave an in
I;eIs'i1s report OF what had been accom-
piisnea IN oxford by the erection az a
handsome and spacious building, and the
| and teachers.
Hon. ]. r. Preston. STATE sn
lntendent of Education heinz per
faiied on, responded in very timely and
lorclDle argument, showing the great adj !.
1aseS 10 De derived from a properly
conducted and equipped public school IL
| this city. ~
Being called upon. Col. ]. l.. Power
urged upon the citizens the great imnor.
lance OF trst-class public school. which
mad been his hobby for many years and he
now telt proud of the unanimitv viii
which the people were moving in this di-
rectIon. He concluded his remarks bv OFFS
ing the following resolutions:
Resolved, That it is the sense If this
meeting that the public schools of Jacksor
should be still further improved so AZ tn
command not only the patronage of all its
cltlzens, but to attract many others here
for residence.
2. That the Board of Mayor and Alder
men be requested to secure such legislation
as Will authorize the levy of tax suffi-
Gent to erect one or more suitable schooI
buildings, furnished and equipped with all
needed appliances to carry on the schools
for terms of nine months, and pay teachers
such salaries as will command the best tai
ent.
3. That this meeting suggest the issu-
ance OF bonds to the amount of $25 600. to
run twenty years, at such rate of interest.
not exceeding six per cent, as will insure
theiI being readily sold at par.
q. That in any Act of the Legislature to
carry out this object, authority be granted
to dispose of the College Green property.
should the same be deemed expedient and
practicable, and the proceeds to apply to
the erection and maintenance of the school
for white children in some central part of
the clty-say the square north of the Gov
ernor's Manslon-or some other point on
or near West street.
b. That the Trustees should be chosen in
such manner, and invested with such pow
ers, as to give them full control of the in
terests committed TO them, and that their
term OF office should be so arranged that
all may not expire together-the first
board to determine, by lot, who shall hold
three years, who two years, and who one
year, and vacancies to be filled as they
may occur that the Trustees should
elect the teachers, fix their salaries,
determine the time OF opening and closing
each term, and direct the payment,
through the proper city officers, of ali
funds for school purposes.
The resolutions being under considera.
ton, Judge Shelton suggested objections
To the location indicated, and moved to
amend by striking out the words, SAY the
square north OF the Governor Mansion D
which being accepted by Col. Power, the
4th resolution was adopted as amended.
Mr.. NJ. Green moved to amend section
5, by providing that the patrons of the
schools shall elect the trustees which
amendment was also accepted, and the
resolutions, thus amended, were unani-
mously adopted.
The Chairman called upon Prof. Fry,
Superintendent of the city schools, VINO
explained the benefits OF the proposed i'm
provements, and discussed at some length
the progress of the schools under the
present graded system, which, according to
the report made by Col. Power, showed a
much greater interest manifested by the
white population than has been known for
twenty years, there being, according to his
report, more white than coiored children
now in attendance, fact which has not
occurred In many years.
DR.. p. w. Peoples offered the following,
which was unanimously adopted:
Resotued, That a Committee of five be
appointed by the Chairman to draft such
amendments to the charter of the city of
Jackson, looking to public improvements
in the city as the Board of Mayor and
Aldermen may approve, to be passed by
the Legislature at its next session.
The Chairman, subsequently, appointed
the following Committee: DR.. p. w.
Peoples, Chairman, d. Shelton, l. Strauss,
j. L. Power, w. l.. Nugent.
On motion, the meeting adjourned.
JNo. MCGILL, Chairman.
l.. F. CHILEs, Secretary.